Abstract
Young children may be exposed to pesticides used in child care centers and their family homes. We examined pesticide use and environmental and behavioral factors potentially associated with child exposures in these settings. Preschool-age children (n=125) wore silicone wristbands to assess pesticide exposures in their child care centers and home environments. Information about environmental and behavioral exposure determinants was collected using parent surveys, child care director interviews, and observations. Commonly detected pesticides were bifenthrin, chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin, fipronil, and cis- and trans-permethrin. Pesticide chemical storage onsite, cracks in the walls, using doormats, observed pests, or evidence of pests were associated with child exposures. Exposures were higher in counties with higher agricultural or commercial pesticide use or when children lived in homes near agricultural fields. Young children are being exposed to harmful pesticides, and interventions are needed to lower their risk of health problems later in life.
Highlights
Young children may be exposed to pesticides used in child care centers and their family homes
Recruitment and Sampling Design A convenience sample of 33 child care centers was recruited from four counties in Northern CA; two counties were located in the San Francisco Bay Area, and two counties were in the San Joaquin Valley
The counties’ inclusion criteria were geography, percent of families at federal poverty level, percent of children aged < 5 years, and pesticide use in the past year based on the Pesticide Use Report (PUR) data collected by CA Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR; California Department of Pesticide Regulation, 2017a)
Summary
Young children may be exposed to pesticides used in child care centers and their family homes. Children are more likely to be exposed to chemicals from surfaces and in-house dust because of hand-to-mouth activity and playing close to the ground, whereas their reduced ability to metabolize toxic chemicals compared with adults increases their risks for acute and chronic toxicity (Makri, Goveia, Balbus, & Parkin, 2004; Xue et al, 2007). They experience greater exposure because of their higher intake of air, water, and food per unit of body weight compared with adults (Moya, Bearer, & Etzel, 2004)
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